Back in the summer I decided to make a limited edition book of twelve images that I had previously posted to Instagram. The book, “The Dying of the Light — Twelve Instagram Photographs”, was designed, printed and bound entirely by myself, and while an edition of 50 doesn’t sound like a lot – at least it didn’t at the time – it is a lot of work. Having said that, it’s what I do and what I enjoy.

In early autumn the Phoenix Art Museum had a call for entries for their second triennial Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks. I submitted mine and was lucky enough to be accepted. 111 books were chosen for the exhibition, having been judged by some outstanding jurors, including Ray Carns (Book Collector and INFOCUS Board Member), Larissa Leclair (Founder, Indie PhotoBook Library), Rebecca Senf (Norton Family Curator, Phoenix Art Museum and Chief Curator, Center for Creative Photography), Mary Virginia Swanson (Co-Author, Publish Your Photography Book) and Emily Weirich (Associate Librarian for Research Services, Center for Creative Photography).

…the desire to produce photographic books is only increasing. Young photographers want their artwork to be presented as a book, and photographic books continue to be produced, discussed, admired, coveted, collected, and sold. Now, with the INFOCUS Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks, we can shed light on an important new phase in the story of photographic books – the ability of photographers world-wide to produce high-quality books of their work through self-publishing.

Since the exhibition opened I have sold more books and now there are just two copies remaining in the edition. How convenient, being so close to Christmas…

This class will combine elements of photography and the book arts, focusing on the slow pleasures of craft. Students will learn about the simple chemistry behind this iron-based process as we print on paper and fabric. Students can make prints of pressed flowers from their home gardens, favorite hand tools, or patterns made with cut paper negatives or found objects. Students are encouraged to experiment! The course will also cover the fundamentals of book binding techniques, constructing portfolios and small books to contain the new cyanotypes. Come explore the handmade side of photography. No camera is required for this class.